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The Football Association
UEFA
Short nameThe FA
Founded26 October 1863; 162 years ago (1863-10-26)
HeadquartersWembley Stadium
LocationWembley, London
FIFA affiliation
  • 1905–1920
  • 1924–1928
  • 1946–present
UEFA affiliation1954
IFAB affiliation1886
PatronWilliam, Prince of Wales
Websitethefa.com Edit this at Wikidata

The Football Association (the FA) is the governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game in its territory.

The FA facilitates all competitive football matches within its remit at national level, and indirectly at local level through the county football associations. It runs numerous competitions, the most famous of which is the FA Cup. It is also responsible for appointing the management of the men's, women's, and youth national football teams.

The FA is a member of both UEFA and FIFA and holds a permanent seat on the International Football Association Board (IFAB) which is responsible for the Laws of the Game. As the first football association, it does not use the national name "English" in its title. The FA is based at Wembley Stadium in London. The FA is a member of the British Olympic Association, meaning that the FA has control over the men's and women's Great Britain Olympic football team.[1]

All of England's professional football teams are members of the Football Association. Although it does not run the day-to-day operations of the Premier League, it has veto power over the appointment of the league chairman and chief executive and over any changes to league rules.[2] The English Football League, made up of the three fully professional divisions below the Premier League, is self-governing, subject to the FA's sanctions.

History

[edit]
English Wikisource has original text related to this article:
See also: History of association football
Plaque commemorating the formation of the Football Association in 1863 at the Freemasons' Tavern, London

It was in England where the first official Association with clear rules was formed.[3] For centuries before the first meeting of the Football Association in the Freemasons' Tavern on Great Queen Street, London on 26 October 1863, there were no universally accepted rules for playing football.[4][5] In 1862, Ebenezer Cobb Morley, as captain of Barnes, wrote to Bell's Life newspaper proposing a governing body for the sport "with the object of establishing a definite code of rules for the regulation of the game"; the letter led to the first meeting at The Freemasons' Tavern that created the FA in 1863. Morley was a founding member.[5] Six meetings near London's Covent Garden, at 81–82 Long Acre,[6] ended in a split between the Association football and Rugby football.[7] Both of them had their own uniforms, rituals, gestures and highly formalised rules.[8]

In public school games, the rules were formalised according to local conditions; but when the schoolboys reached university, chaos ensued when the players used different rules, so members of the University of Cambridge devised and published a set of Cambridge Rules in 1848 which was widely adopted.[4] Another set of rules, the Sheffield Rules, was used by a number of clubs in the North of England from the 1850s.[9]

Eleven London football clubs and schools' representatives met on 26 October 1863 to agree on common rules.[4][5] The founding clubs present at the first meeting were:

Charterhouse sent their captain, B.F. Hartshorne, but declined the offer to join.[12] Many of these clubs are now defunct or still play rugby. Civil Service FC, who now plays in the Southern Amateur League, is the only one of the original eleven football clubs still in existence, with an unbroken history, and playing association football,[5] although Forest School has been a member since the fifth meeting in December 1863. Both Barnes and Wanderers have been re-established as football clubs in the modern era.

Ebenezer Cobb Morley was the FA's first secretary (1863–66) and its second president (1867–74) and drafted the Laws of the Game generally called the "London Rules" at his home in Barnes, London.[5] He played in the first-ever match in 1863.

Photo of an early handwritten draft of the 'Laws of the game' for association Football drafted for and behalf of the Football Association by Ebenezer Cobb Morley in 1863 on display at the National Football Museum, Manchester

The first version of the rules for the modern game was drawn up over a series of six meetings held in The Freemasons' Tavern from October till December.[5] Of the clubs at the first meeting, Crusaders, Surbiton and Charterhouse did not attend the subsequent meetings, replaced instead by the Royal Navy School, Wimbledon School and Forest School.[13]

Split from rugby

[edit]

At the final meeting,[when?] F. M. Campbell, the first FA treasurer and the Blackheath representative, withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at the previous meeting, the first which allowed for the running with the ball in hand and the second, obstructing such a run by hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. Other English rugby clubs followed this lead and did not join the FA but instead in 1871 formed the Rugby Football Union.[4] The term "soccer" dates back to this split to refer to football played under the "association" rules. After six clubs had withdrawn as they supported the opposing Rugby Rules, the Football Association had just nine members in January 1864: Barnes, Kilburn, Crystal Palace, War Office (Civil Service), Forest Club, Forest School, Sheffield, Uppingham and Royal Engineers (Chatham).[14]

An inaugural game using the new FA rules was initially scheduled for Battersea Park on 2 January 1864, but enthusiastic members of the FA could not wait for the new year: the first game under F. A. rules was played at Mortlake on 19 December 1863 between Morley's Barnes team and their neighbours Richmond (who were not members of the FA), ending in a goalless draw. The Richmond side were obviously unimpressed by the new rules in practice because they subsequently helped form the Rugby Football Union in 1871. The Battersea Park game was the first exhibition game using FA rules, and was played there on Saturday 9 January 1864.[15] The members of the opposing teams for this game were chosen by the President of the FA (A. Pember) and the Secretary (E. C. Morley) and included many well-known footballers of the day.[16] After the first match according to the new FA rules a toast was given "Success to football, irrespective of class or creed".[17]

Another notable match was London v Sheffield, in which a representative team from the FA played Sheffield FC under Association rules in March 1866; Charles Alcock described this game as "first [match] of any importance under the auspices of the Football Association".[18] Alcock (of Harrow School) of the Wanderers was elected to the committee of the FA in 1866, becoming its first full-time secretary and treasurer in 1870. He masterminded the creation of the Football Association Cup[19]—the longest-running association football competition in the world—in 1871. Fifteen participating clubs subscribed to purchase a trophy. The first Cup Final was held at The Oval on 16 March 1872, fought between the Wanderers and the Royal Engineers (RE), watched by 2,000 spectators.[5] In 1874 Francis Marindin became the third president of the Football Association.

As football grew in popularity, it also began to take root in youth communities. In 1875, a Hanover Institute team (founded by Quintin Hogg, supported by fellow Old Etonian Arthur Kinnaird) was involved in an early attempt to incorporate football into the regular activities of a youth club, organising a match with boys from St Andrew's Home in Soho.[20]

Single set of laws

[edit]
Coat of arms of the Football Association

After many years of wrangling between the London-based Football Association and the Sheffield Football Association, the FA Cup brought the acceptance that one undisputed set of laws was required. The two associations had played 16 inter-association matches under differing rules; the Sheffield Rules, the London Rules and Mixed Rules. In April 1877, those laws were set with a number of Sheffield Rules being incorporated. In 1890, Kinnaird replaced Major Francis Marindin, becoming the fourth president of the Football Association. Kinnaird had at that time been a FA committeeman since the age of 21, in 1868. Kinnaird remained president for the next 33 years, until his death in 1923.

The FA Cup was initially contested by mostly southern, amateur teams, but more professionally organised northern clubs began to dominate the competition during the early 1880s; "The turning point, north replacing south, working class defeating upper and professionals impinging upon the amateurs' territory, came in 1883."[21] Hitherto, public school sides had played a dribbling game punctuated by violent tackles, but a new passing style developed in Scotland was successfully adopted by some Lancashire teams, along with a more organised approach to training. Blackburn Olympic reached the final in March 1883 and defeated Old Etonians.[22] Near-neighbours Blackburn Rovers started to pay players, and the following season won the first of three consecutive FA Cups.[22][21] The FA initially tried to outlaw professionalism but, in the face of a threatened breakaway body (the British Football Association), by 1885 was forced to permit payments to players.[23] Three years later, in 1888, the first Football League was established, formed by six professional clubs from northwest England and six from the midlands.[21]

In 1992, the Football Association took control of the newly created Premier League which consisted of 22 clubs who had broken away from the First Division of the Football League. The Premier League reduced to 20 clubs in 1995 and is one of the richest football leagues in the world.[24]

The Football Association has updated their logo several times. They celebrated their 150th year with a special 2013–2014 season logo. The shield design (taken from the coat of arms of the Football Association) is the same, but the three lions, rosettes and border are in gold instead of black and red, with the usual white background. The title strip above reads "The FA" in white on gold, and there is a scroll below reading "150 years" in white on gold, between "1863" and "2013".[25][26]

Women's football

[edit]

By 1921 women's football had become increasingly popular through the charitable games played by women's teams during and after the First World War. In a move that was widely seen as caused by jealousy of the crowds' interest in women's games which frequently exceeded that of the top men's teams, in 1921 the Football Association banned all women's teams from playing on grounds affiliated to the FA because they thought football damaged women's bodies.[27][28] For several decades, this meant that women's football virtually ceased to exist.

The decision to exclude women was only reversed from 1969 when, after the increased interest in football caused by England's 1966 World Cup triumph, the Women's Football Association was founded,[29] although it would take a further two years – and an order from UEFA – to force the (men's) Football Association to remove its restrictions on the playing rights of women's teams.[30] It was not until 1983 that the WFA was able to affiliate to the FA as a "County Association" and only in 1993 did the FA found the "Women's Football Committee" to run women's football in England.[31] The "Women's Football Conference", as it is now known, has representation on the FA Council equivalent to a County Football Association.[32]

Honours

[edit]

National football team

[edit]

Men

[edit]
  • Third place (1): 2019

Women

[edit]
  • Runners-up (1): 2023
  • Third place (1): 2015
  • Fourth place (1): 2019

National youth teams

[edit]

Men

[edit]
  • Winners (1): 2017
  • Third place (1): 1993
  • Fourth place (1): 1981

Women

[edit]
  • Third place (1): 2018
  • Fourth place (1): 2008

FA 2017 reform

[edit]

In December 2016, five former FA executives – David Bernstein, David Davies, Greg Dyke, Alex Horne and David Triesman – called on Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee to propose legislation to reform the FA, saying it was outdated, held back by "elderly white men", and unable to counter the power of the Premier League or "to reform and modernise in a fast-changing world".[33]

In April 2017, it was announced that some reforms, including reducing the size of the FA's board and increasing the number of women, would be submitted for approval to the FA's annual general meeting on 18 May. However, the proposed changes were criticised by some for not going far enough, particularly to improve minority representation.[34] The proposals were approved at the AGM and include:[35]

  • Establishing three positions on the FA board for female members by 2018
  • Reducing the size of the board to 10 members
  • Adding 11 new members to the FA Council to "better reflects the inclusive and diverse nature of English football"
  • Limiting board membership to three terms of three years
  • Introducing term limits for FA Council members

However, pressure for FA reform continued fuelled by allegations of racism and bullying in relation to the Mark Sampson and Eniola Aluko cases, and the historical sexual abuse scandal.[36] In October 2017, FA chairman Greg Clarke announced a "fundamental" review of the FA after admitting it had "lost the trust of the public" following the Sampson controversy.[37] In the same month, Clarke was criticised by sexual abuse victim Andy Woodward and the Professional Footballers' Association's chief executive Gordon Taylor for remarks Clarke made to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) hearing.[38][39][40]

In November 2020, Clarke resigned as FA chairman over his use of the term "coloured" when referring to black players in comments to the DCMS committee via video link.[41] The FA subsequently announced they would seek a new chairman, with hopes there would be an announcement as to the successor by March 2021.[42]

UK football sexual abuse scandal (2016–2021)

[edit]
Main article: United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal

In mid-November 2016, allegations of widespread historical sexual abuse at football clubs dating back to the 1970s began to emerge. On 21 November, the Football Association said it would set up a helpline;[43] this was established with the NSPCC and opened on 24 November,[44] reportedly receiving over 50 calls within the first two hours,[45] over 100 by 27 November,[46] and 860 ("more than three times as many referrals as in the first three days of the Jimmy Savile scandal") by 1 December[47] with 350 individuals alleging abuse.[48] The FA and NSPCC also collaborated to produce a film about how to keep children safe in the sport, featuring the captains of England's men's, women's and cerebral palsy football teams (Wayne Rooney, Steph Houghton and Jack Rutter).[49]

On 27 November, the FA announced it was to set up an internal review, led by independent counsel Kate Gallafent, into what Crewe and Manchester City knew about convicted child sex offender Barry Bennell and allegations of child sexual abuse in football, and investigate what information it was aware of at the time of the alleged offences.[50]

The FA was criticised by Conservative MP Damian Collins, chairman of the House of Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Committee, for being too slow in reacting and not instigating a wider review.[51] Former sport minister Gerry Sutcliffe talked of previous concern about how the FA dealt with governance of the sport and with youth development (in the 1990s, the FA was said to have reacted "dismissively" to worries about sexual abuse in the game, and too slow to implement criminal record checks;[52] in 2003, the FA had scrapped a project meant to ensure children were being protected from sexual abuse;[53] and FA officials had been uncooperative with the review project, with ten of 14 FA staff not replying to interview requests and a report by the researchers of others being "prevented/bullied" from talking).[54] Sutcliffe said an independent body, such as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport should look at the issue rather than the FA investigating itself: "What I've seen in football over the years is that they're very narrow, very insular, and may not do a proper job even though with the right intentions."[55]

On 6 December 2016, the FA announced that, due to "the increased scope of the review since it was announced"[56] and Gallafent's other professional commitments, the review would be conducted by Clive Sheldon QC.[57] On 11 January 2017, the Sheldon review had made its first call for evidence, writing to all football clubs in England and Wales, amateur and professional, asking for information by 15 March about allegations of child sexual abuse between 1970 and 2005.[58] In March 2018, it was reported that the scale of evidence provided, plus the "chaotic nature of the archiving", had delayed the inquiry team's sift through the FA's legal files; around 500,000 pages of material from 6,000 files were uploaded to a digital platform, and 353 documents were identified as highly relevant. Sheldon expected to start writing his final report in August 2018.[59]

In July 2018, it was reported that the FA's independent inquiry had found no evidence of an institutional cover-up or of a paedophile ring operating within football. Sheldon's report, likely to be highly critical of several clubs, was initially expected to be delivered to the FA in September 2018,[60] but its publication was delayed, potentially by up to a year, pending the retrial of Bob Higgins and possible further charges against Barry Bennell.[61]

The 700-page report was eventually published on 17 March 2021. It identified failures to act adequately on complaints or rumours of sexual abuse at eight professional clubs: Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Peterborough, Southampton and Stoke City.[62] The report also made 13 recommendations for further improvements, including clubs employing qualified safeguarding officers, an FA board member to be the designated "children's safeguarding champion", spot checks of amateur clubs, a "national day of safeguarding in football" and an annual safeguarding report. However, the measures were criticised for being too late and lacking ambition. The FA issued a "heartfelt apology" to survivors and said it would be implementing all of Sheldon's recommendations.[62]

Crown Dependencies

[edit]

The football associations within the Crown Dependencies of Jersey (Jersey Football Association), Guernsey (Guernsey Football Association) and the Isle of Man (Isle of Man Football Association) are affiliated to the FA despite having a separate identity from that of the United Kingdom and by extension England.[63] They are considered county football associations by the FA. Matt Le Tissier and Graeme Le Saux have represented the FA's full national representative team and were born in Guernsey and Jersey respectively.[64]

The Guernsey Football Association, Isle of Man Football Association and Jersey Football Association have been affiliated with the FA since 1903, 1908 and 1905 respectively.[65][66][67]

A loophole was closed in May 2008 by FIFA which allowed players born in the Channel Islands to choose which home nation within the United Kingdom they will represent at international level.[citation needed] During the 1990s, Trevor Wood (Jersey) and Chris Tardif (Guernsey) represented Northern Ireland.

Overseas Territories

[edit]

The British overseas territory of Gibraltar's Gibraltar Football Association was affiliated to the FA from 1911 until it opted to become a fully recognised member of UEFA, a feat achieved after a 14-year legal battle.[when?] Joseph Nunez, the Gibraltar FA President claimed they were "unilaterally thrown out" of the FA following an intervention from Geoff Thompson.[65]

On the other hand, the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA), established in 1914, is one of the oldest football associations in Asia. They joined FIFA in 1954, and were also one of twelve founding members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). HK played an important role in the early development of Asian football and hosted the first Asian Cup competition in 1956. The dependent territory was relinquished by the UK in 1997 and handed over to the People's Republic of China.

Some of the other British overseas territories have local football associations or leagues (including the Anguilla Football Association, the Ascension Island Football League, the Bermuda Football Association, the British Virgin Islands Football Association, the Cayman Islands Football Association, the Falkland Islands Football League, the Montserrat Football Association, the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association) and saint Helena, but these are not considered subsidiary to the Football Association.

Although the British overseas territories are too small to support professional teams,[citation needed] they have produced players such as Clyde Best who have gone on to play professionally in the Football Association, and referees such as Carlyle Crockwell, who have refereed FIFA matches.

Relationship with FIFA

[edit]

The Football Association first joined FIFA in 1905. The British Associations (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) opted to leave FIFA after World War I when FIFA chose not to exclude those who were part of the Central Powers from the organisation. The British Associations' stance had changed by 1922 and in 1924 they had rejoined FIFA.[b]

The British Olympic Association had fought against 'broken time' – monetary compensation for athletes' earnings when competing in the Olympic games. At the 1925 Olympic Congress in Prague, the British had made an amendment that concluded governing federations should define amateur status for their sports but only in accordance with the definition of amateurism accepted by the Olympic Congress. In 1928, Switzerland proposed to FIFA that in certain circumstances, 'broken time' payments should be allowed and FIFA accepted. The FA resigned from FIFA in protest against the proposal. As a result of the FA's resignation, England did not participate in the 1930, 1934 or 1938 FIFA World Cup.

At the 1930 Olympic Congress in Berlin, Belgian delegates proposed that for each sport the definition of amateur status be left to its international federation. The BOA argued for a common definition of amateurism and argued that 'broken time' payments were against the Olympic ideal.

The FA rejoined FIFA in 1946 and participated in their first World Cup in 1950. One of the first actions of the Football Association was to request the expulsion of the German and Japanese national football associations for their countries' role in World War II. Germany and Japan were prevented from qualifying for the 1950 FIFA World Cup as a consequence. They were re-acquainted with FIFA in 1950 following a second request from Switzerland who had had a previous request rejected in 1948.

Competitions

[edit]
The FA Cup trophy used from 1992 to 2013

The FA runs several competitions:

Current

[edit]

Defunct

[edit]

Finance and governance

[edit]

Finances

[edit]

The FA's main commercial asset is its ownership of the rights to England internationals and the FA Cup. Broadcasting income remains the FA's largest revenue stream with both domestic and international broadcasting rights for England fixtures and the FA Cup tied up until at least 2021.

For the four seasons from 2008 to 2012, the FA secured £425 million from ITV and Setanta for England and FA Cup games domestic television rights, a 42% increase over the previous contract, and £145 million for overseas television rights, up 272% on the £39 million received for the previous four-year period.[69] However, during 2008–09 Setanta UK went into administration, which weakened the FA's cashflow position.

Turnover for the year ending 31 July 2016 was £370 million on which it made a profit after tax of £7 million. It has also made an investment of £125 million back into every level of Football in 2016. In July 2015 the FA announced plans to carry out a significant organisational restructure, in order to deliver considerable cost savings to invest in elite England teams, facilities and grassroots coaching.[70]

The FA's income does not include the turnover of English football clubs, which are independent businesses. As well as running its own operations the FA chooses five charities each year to which it gives financial support.[71][72]

In three years up to 2014, the FA received £350,000 in fines from players over comments made on Twitter. The highest fine imposed was a £90,000 fine to Ashley Cole in 2012 after calling the FA "a bunch of twats." The FA became stricter on comments made by players on Twitter, disciplining 121 players in three years.[73]

Principals

[edit]
The Prince of Wales is the current Patron of the FA.

The FA has a figurehead President, who since 1939 has always been a member of the British royal family. The Chairman of the FA has overall responsibility for policy. Traditionally this person rose through the ranks of the FA's committee structure (e.g. by holding posts such as the chairmanship of a county football association). In 2008 politician David Triesman was appointed as the FA's first "independent chairman", the first from outside the football hierarchy. The day-to-day head of the FA was known as the Secretary until 1989, when the job title was changed to Chief Executive.[74][75][76]

Historic presidents
Arthur Pember
Ebenezer Morley
Francis Marindin
Charles Clegg
William Pickford
Alexander Cambridge
Office-holders
Office Name Tenure
President Arthur Pember 1863–1867
E. C. Morley 1867–1874
Francis Marindin 1874–1890
Lord Kinnaird 1890–1923
Sir Charles Clegg[c] 1923–1937
William Pickford 1937–1939
The Earl of Athlone 1939–1955
The Duke of Edinburgh 1955–1957
The Duke of Gloucester 1957–1963
The Earl of Harewood 1963–1971
The Duke of Kent 1971–2000
The Duke of York 2000–2006
The Prince of Wales[d] 2006–2024
Vice President Charles Crump 1886–1923
Chairman/person Charles Clegg 1890–1937
A. G. Hines 1938
M. Frowde 1939–1941
Sir Amos Brook Hirst[e] 1941–1955
Arthur Drewry 1955–1961
Graham Doggart 1961–1963
Joe Mears 1963–1966
Sir Andrew Stephen[f] 1967–1976
Sir Harold Thompson 1976–1981
Bert Millichip 1981–1996
Keith Wiseman 1996–1999
Geoff Thompson 1999–2008
The Lord Triesman 2008–2010
David Bernstein 2011–2013
Greg Dyke 2013–2016
David Gill 2016 (interim)
Greg Clarke 2016–2020
Peter McCormick 2020–2022 (interim)
Debbie Hewitt 2022–present
Secretary E. C. Morley 1863–1866
R. W. Willis 1866–1867
R. G. Graham 1867–1870
C. W. Alcock 1870–1895
Sir Frederick Wall[g] 1895–1934
Sir Stanley Rous[h] 1934–1962
Denis Follows 1962–1973
Ted Croker 1973–1989
Chief executive Graham Kelly 1989–1998
Executive Director David Davies 1998–2000
Chief executive Adam Crozier 2000–2002
David Davies 2002–2003 (acting)
Mark Palios 2003–2004
David Davies 2004–2005 (acting)
Brian Barwick 2005–2008
Ian Watmore 2009–2010
Alex Horne 2010 (acting)
Martin Glenn 2015–2019
Mark Bullingham 2019–present
General Secretary Alex Horne 2010–present

Board of directors

[edit]

Taken from The FA's website on 9 January 2022[78]

  • Chairwoman: Debbie Hewitt
  • Chief executive: Mark Bullingham

National game representatives:

  • Sue Hough
  • Jack Pearce
  • Thura Win

Professional game representatives:

Independent non-executive directors:

  • Kate Tinsley
  • Tim Score

Board observers:

Notes and references

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Football Association

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Football Association (the FA) is the not-for-profit governing body of in , established on 26 October 1863 at the in by representatives from 11 clubs and schools to create a unified code of rules amid conflicting variants of the game. As the world's oldest national football association, it standardizes and regulates the sport across amateur and professional levels, overseeing the men's and women's national teams, youth development, and competitions including the —the oldest association football knockout tournament, inaugurated in 1871. The FA's inaugural laws, drafted primarily by , prohibited carrying the ball by hand and hacking (kicking opponents' shins), decisively separating from rugby and enabling organized play. Major achievements encompass legalizing in 1885 to accommodate working-class participation, backing the Football League's formation in 1888, constructing as the national venue in 1923, and orchestrating England's victory on home soil. These developments propelled 's commercialization and global reach, with the FA co-founding in 1904. Despite its foundational role, the FA has encountered controversies, notably institutional shortcomings in safeguarding against non-recent in youth football between 1970 and 2000, as detailed in the 2021 Sheldon Review, which highlighted failures in oversight and response despite early awareness of risks. More recently, it has navigated debates over player welfare, including long-known hazards documented in internal records from the . Headquartered at and St George's Park, the FA continues to drive participation growth, infrastructure investment, and regulatory enforcement for over 150 years of the sport's evolution in .

History

Formation in 1863

In the early 1860s, disparate rules for football across English public schools and clubs—ranging from handling variants akin to rugby to kicking-only games—created inconsistencies that hindered organized play. , a solicitor who established in 1862, addressed this by publishing a letter in Bell's Life in on January 26, 1862, urging the formation of a to standardize laws. Morley's initiative culminated in the inaugural meeting on October 26, 1863, at the on Great Queen Street in , attended by representatives from eleven London and suburban clubs, including Barnes, , Crusaders, and . The assembly resolved to create the Football Association to draft unified rules, marking the birth of organized . Arthur Pember of the N.N. Club (No Names, Kilburn) was elected the first president, with Morley appointed secretary. The new body immediately set about codifying the game, convening multiple sessions at the over subsequent weeks to debate and adopt initial laws, which emphasized kicking over handling to differentiate from . These efforts laid the foundation for the modern sport, prioritizing empirical consistency in play over regional customs.

Split from Rugby and Early Codification

Prior to the formation of the Football Association in 1863, football variants played at English public schools and clubs incorporated elements of handling the ball, akin to emerging rugby practices, leading to inconsistent rules that hindered organized matches. , a solicitor and captain of the , sought to standardize the game by prohibiting such handling to emphasize kicking and skill-based play, proposing a meeting in a letter published in Bell's Life in London on October 18, 1863. On October 26, 1863, representatives from 11 clubs convened at the in , , where debates centered on reconciling differing codes. The pivotal arose during discussions on the tenth proposed rule, which banned carrying or running with the in hand; supporters of rugby-style play, including Blackheath and , withdrew after the vote passed 11–6 in favor of prohibition, leaving nine clubs committed to the handling-free variant. This departure formalized the divide, with the remaining delegates electing Arthur Pember as president and Morley as secretary, establishing the Football Association to govern as a distinct code. The Rugby Football Union would not form until 1871, confirming the events as the origin of the split. The FA promptly codified the game through 13 original laws, drafted primarily by Morley and adopted on December 1, 1863, specifying a rectangular pitch of up to 200 yards long by 100 yards wide, goals 8 yards apart with crossbars at 8 feet high, teams of 11–20 players, and prohibitions on hacking, tripping, and offside except from a direct . These rules prioritized continuous play via and , with the ball thrown in straight from touchlines and goals scored only between posts without tape initially. Early matches under the code, such as Barnes vs. Richmond in 1863, tested the laws, revealing needs for refinement like goal nets (invented 1875) and standardized team sizes (fixed at 11 by 1870). Subsequent revisions in 1866 addressed ambiguities, such as clarifying offside and introducing free kicks for fouls, while the FA's influence spread the code internationally, supplanting local variants by the 1870s. This early codification laid the causal foundation for modern association football's global dominance, rooted in empirical trial of rules favoring tactical kicking over physical carrying, without reliance on unsubstantiated narratives of single inventors.

Professionalization and Expansion (Late 19th–Early 20th Century)

The Football Association legalized professionalism in association football on July 20, 1885, after sustained pressure from northern clubs where covert player payments had undermined amateur rules. This shift accommodated the sport's growth in industrial regions, where working-class participants required compensation for lost wages, contrasting with southern amateur ideals. The decision prevented further schisms, as evidenced by prior expulsions of clubs like Preston North End for professionalism violations. Professionalism spurred organizational expansion, culminating in the formation of the Football League on September 8, 1888, comprising twelve founding clubs from the and North of , including , Aston Villa, and Blackburn Rovers. Initiated by William McGregor of Aston Villa to guarantee regular fixtures amid chaotic friendly schedules, the league operated under FA rules and marked the world's first structured professional competition, with each team playing 22 matches. Preston North End won the inaugural 1888–89 season undefeated, dubbed the "Invincibles," highlighting the competitive viability of paid players. Into the early , the FA oversaw further proliferation, sanctioning league expansions and affiliating hundreds of clubs, while the demonstrated rising popularity through increased entries—from 15 teams in 1871 to over 200 by 1900—and growing final attendances, reflecting broader public engagement tied to and rail travel. Figures like Charles Clegg, FA chairman from 1890 to 1937, mediated amateur-professional tensions, ensuring governance stability amid rapid commercialization.

Development of Women's Football

Women's football in England emerged in the late but gained prominence during , when factory teams such as the Dick, Kerr Ladies formed to entertain workers and raise funds, attracting crowds exceeding 50,000 spectators, including a record 53,116 at on 1920. These matches competed for the Munitionettes' Cup, established in 1917, highlighting organized competition amid wartime labor shortages that drew women into male-dominated industries. On 5 December 1921, The Football Association imposed a ban prohibiting affiliated clubs from allowing women's teams to use their grounds, citing the game's physical demands as unsuitable for females and concerns over gate money competing with men's fixtures; this effectively stifled the sport's growth for 50 years by denying access to facilities and legitimacy. The ban reflected priorities to safeguard professional men's football revenues post-war, rather than outright prohibition of the sport itself, though women's teams persisted on non-affiliated pitches through informal leagues. The FA lifted the ban on 1 November 1971, permitting women's matches on affiliated grounds and enabling formal integration, though initial involvement remained limited as the (WFA), formed in 1969, handled governance until the FA assumed control in 1993. This shift coincided with the establishment of the England women's national team in 1972, which entered international play but faced structural underinvestment compared to the men's side. Professionalization accelerated in the 2010s with the FA launching the (WSL) in 2011 as a fully professional top tier, replacing the WFA's FA Women's Premier League; by the 2023-24 season, WSL clubs generated £65 million in revenue, a 34% increase from the prior year, driven by broadcast deals and sponsorships. Participation surged, with women and girls playing football rising 56% over four years under the FA's strategy, bolstered by the Lionesses' 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in the at , England's first major trophy and a catalyst for infrastructure investment. Despite progress, disparities persist, as women's football revenues remain a fraction of men's, underscoring ongoing challenges in and funding.

Governance and Structure

Organizational Framework and Leadership

The Football Association's governance is structured around the FA Board for strategic decision-making, the FA Council for stakeholder input, and a Team for executive operations, with headquarters at and St. George's Park. The FA Board sets policy and oversees performance, drawing from diverse football sectors to balance professional, national game, and independent perspectives. Debbie Hewitt has served as the independent non-executive Chair since January 2022, leading key committees including Nominations, People and Culture, and Governance & Regulation. has been since August 2019, responsible for commercial activities, participation growth, and overall organizational delivery, having previously boosted FA revenue by over £100 million. The board includes vice-chairs from the national game (Alex Baker since July 2024) and professional game (Dharmash Mistry since July 2023), alongside representatives like for the professional game (since October 2019) and Sarah Walters for the national game (since July 2025). Independent non-executive directors, such as Senior Independent Director Kate Tinsley (since October 2017) and newcomers like Stephen Morana (joining November 2025), provide external expertise in finance, audit, and risk.
RoleNameAppointment Date
Independent Non-Executive Chair MBEJanuary 2022
Chief Executive OfficerMark BullinghamAugust 2019
National Game Representative, Vice-ChairAlex BakerJuly 2024
National Game RepresentativeSarah WaltersJuly 2025
Professional Game RepresentativeOctober 2019
Professional Game Representative, Vice-ChairDharmash MistryJuly 2023
Senior Independent DirectorKate TinsleyOctober 2017
Independent Non-Executive DirectorTim ScoreJuly 2021
Independent Non-Executive DirectorMay 2022
Independent Non-Executive DirectorMay 2022
Independent Non-Executive Director (incoming)Stephen MoranaNovember 2025
The FA Council, comprising 125 members from clubs, leagues, and affiliates, offers strategic guidance on issues and elects certain board representatives, ensuring broad representation across English football. Supporting committees, such as , Group Audit & Risk, and Commercial, advise the board on specialized matters like executive pay, financial oversight, and revenue strategies. Operational leadership falls to the Senior Management Team, reporting to the CEO and focusing on functional areas including football development, women's game initiatives, and major events. Key executives include as Chief Football Officer, directing high-performance and national team strategies; Sue Day as Director of Women's Football (since December 2024); and John McDermott as (since January 2021), emphasizing talent pathways. This layered structure promotes accountability, with the board holding the executive team to performance targets amid ongoing reforms for enhanced independence and transparency.

Key Reforms: 2017 Changes and Fan-Led Review Implementation

In March 2017, the Football Association's board unanimously approved a package of corporate governance reforms to align with Sport England's Code for Sports Governance, which mandates principles of transparency, accountability, and diversity in sports bodies. These included reducing the FA board from 14 to 10 members, reserving three positions for independent non-executive directors, and mandating at least three female members on the board by 2018. The reforms also increased female representation on the FA Council from one to three members and introduced term limits for council positions to enhance independence. This followed intense scrutiny from a UK parliamentary committee, which in February 2017 passed a no-confidence motion in the FA's leadership and threatened legislative intervention if reforms were not enacted. The changes were formally ratified by the FA Council in May 2017, marking a shift toward greater diversity and external oversight in , though critics argued they represented incremental rather than transformative adjustments to longstanding criticisms of the FA's club-dominated structure. By 2018, the board achieved the required female representation, with subsequent annual reports confirming compliance through appointments such as Sue Campbell and Roxanne Heller. The Fan-Led Review of Football Governance, commissioned in 2021 amid the proposed and club financial collapses like those of Bury and Wanderers, culminated in a November 2021 report recommending an independent regulator to enforce rigorous owners' and directors' tests, financial sustainability rules, and fan engagement standards across English football. The review identified systemic risks from misaligned incentives between leagues, particularly the Premier League's revenue dominance, and proposed the regulator operate outside direct FA or league control to prioritize club viability over short-term success. The UK government endorsed all 10 strategic recommendations in April 2022, leading to the introduction of the Football Governance Bill in 2024. The bill progressed through Parliament and received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025, enacting the Football Governance Act 2025, which establishes the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) for men's elite football clubs from the Premier League to the National League. The IFR will administer annual licensing for clubs, incorporating enhanced scrutiny of ownership integrity, club heritage protection (e.g., against name or color changes without fan consultation), and a statutory financial code to prevent insolvency, with powers to impose fines up to 10% of a club's turnover or block unfit takeovers. Implementation commenced in late 2025, with the IFR assuming operational duties to phase in regulations, including mandatory fan engagement plans for clubs by the 2025-26 season. While the FA retains authority over on-field rules, competition formats, and disciplinary matters, the IFR can override FA decisions on licensing or finances if they threaten sustainability, reducing the FA's unilateral control and addressing prior governance lapses such as inconsistent enforcement of owners' tests. This structure aims to safeguard lower-tier clubs from pyramid-wide revenue disparities, though the has expressed concerns over potential constraints on commercial freedoms.

Board of Directors and Accountability Mechanisms

The FA Board comprises 11 members as of October 2025, structured to maintain a of independent non-executive directors for enhanced objectivity. This includes one , two representatives from the national game ( and levels), two from the professional game ( and EFL), and six independent non-executive directors, with the chair counted among the independents. The current chair is MBE, appointed in January 2022 following election by the FA Council; she oversees strategic direction and chairs key committees including nominations, people and culture, remuneration, and and regulation. Mark Bullingham serves as the sole and since August 2019, responsible for operational management including commercial activities and oversight. National game representatives include Sarah Walters, appointed in July 2025 with a background in women's football, refereeing, and finance, replacing Sue Hough MBE; and Alex Baker, appointed in July 2024, a and CEO of a regulatory consultancy. Professional game representatives are , EFL chair since October 2019, and Dharmash Mistry, appointed in July 2023 as a Premier League-nominated . Independent non-executive directors provide external expertise: Kate Tinsley OBE (senior since October 2017, CEO of MKM Building Supplies), Tim Score (since July 2021, chair of , retiring November 2025), Mark Esiri (since May 2022, chair of Venrex Investment Management), and (since May 2022, former professional footballer and analyst). Stephen Morana, a chartered accountant with experience as CFO at and Zoopla, is scheduled to join on 5 November 2025, replacing Score and chairing the group audit and risk committee. Appointments balance stakeholder representation with independence: the chair and vice-chairs are elected by the FA Council, a body of over 120 members from county FAs, leagues, and affiliated groups; representative directors are nominated by respective game stakeholders; and independents are selected for skills in , , and sport via nominations committee processes emphasizing diversity and expertise. This structure, reformed in 2023 to ensure at least 50% independents per the Fan-Led Review, aims to mitigate conflicts from professional game dominance while retaining input from grassroots and elite levels. Internal accountability operates through specialized committees reporting to the board, including and risk (overseeing financial controls), (setting executive pay linked to performance metrics), and and (ensuring compliance with rules and ethical standards). The FA Council provides democratic oversight, approving major decisions like rule changes and electing , with members accountable via regional elections and term limits. Externally, the Football Governance Act 2025, enacted 21 July 2025, introduces an Independent Football Regulator empowered to enforce financial sustainability codes on the FA, monitor owner and director tests, and intervene in distribution disputes, thereby imposing statutory accountability beyond self-regulation. The FA publishes annual reports and , subject to independent audits, with board members required to declare interests to prevent conflicts.

Competitions

Oversight of Domestic Leagues and Cups

The Football Association (FA) serves as the national governing body for in , exercising oversight over domestic leagues and cups primarily through sanctioning competitions, approving rule books, and enforcing compliance with the Laws of the Game and its own regulations. This includes responsibility for player registrations, eligibility criteria, and standards across professional and amateur levels. Sanctioning ensures that leagues and cups adhere to FA-approved formats, financial rules, and disciplinary procedures, maintaining uniformity and integrity in the sport. Central to the FA's direct involvement is the organization of the Emirates FA Cup, the world's oldest national football knockout competition, established in 1871 and open to clubs from the down to level 10 of the English football pyramid. The FA manages all aspects of the tournament, including draw processes, fixture scheduling, and recent format updates agreed with the in April 2024, which introduced exclusive calendar windows and eliminated replays after the first round proper to reduce fixture congestion—though this change drew criticism from EFL clubs for bypassing consultation. For the 2024-25 season, these adjustments also allocate additional funding to and women's football from increased prize money. The FA sanctions major leagues such as the (92 clubs across four divisions run by the EFL below it) and lower-tier competitions like the National League system, requiring them to align with FA governance on issues like club licensing, promotion/relegation criteria, and anti-doping measures. While the operates semi-autonomously under its own board, its rules must receive FA approval, covering aspects from squad composition to match officiating. Similarly, the (sponsored as the Carabao Cup) is administered by the EFL but falls under FA jurisdiction for , ensuring parity with broader football standards. For , the FA oversees cups like the (for step 3-5 clubs) and (for levels below step 4), providing structured pathways for amateur and semi-professional teams while enforcing eligibility and conduct rules. This tiered oversight extends to over 140 affiliated leagues, promoting development from to elite levels, with the FA retaining authority to intervene in disputes or revoke sanctions for non-compliance, as outlined in its rules on competition control.

Current Competitions

The Emirates stands as the Football Association's flagship knockout competition, open to qualifying clubs across the English football pyramid from teams to amateur sides at Step 7 of the National League System. Launched in 1871, it maintains an annual format with early qualifying rounds commencing in August and the final at in May; for the 2025–26 season, first-round proper fixtures occurred on 9 November 2025, following extra preliminary and qualifying stages earlier in the year. This structure ensures broad participation, with over 700 teams entering annually, though progression for lower-tier clubs remains statistically improbable due to disparities in resources and player quality. Complementing the FA Cup for non-league clubs, the Isuzu FA Trophy targets teams at Steps 3 and 4 of the , providing a pathway for semi-professional outfits to compete for national honors and prize money. The 2025–26 edition's first qualifying round began in September, with proper rounds underway by October, culminating in a final; Town holds the most recent title from the 2024–25 final victory over Spennymoor Town on 11 May 2025. Similarly, the serves Step 5 and 6 clubs, emphasizing grassroots competition; its 2025–26 second-round proper draw was conducted on 20 October 2025, with matches scheduled shortly thereafter. In women's football, the FA directly administers the , an annual knockout event mirroring the men's format and open to teams from the downward. The FA Women's Continental League Cup adds a league-based group stage element for top-tier clubs, while the FA Women's Super League operates under FA governance as the premier division. Youth and variants, such as the —introduced in 1952 for under-18 academy teams—and the EE Disability FA Cup for para footballers, further extend the FA's competitive portfolio, with the latter's 2025 finals streamed live across multiple formats. The annual , contested in August between the previous season's league and cup winners, marks the seasonal opener but concluded for 2025 prior to October.

Defunct Competitions

The FA Amateur Cup, established by The Football Association in 1893, served as the premier knockout tournament exclusively for clubs in , excluding those paying players or affiliated with professional leagues. It aimed to promote and standardize football amid growing , with initial rounds hosted regionally to manage logistics for non-professional teams. The competition featured over 500 entrants in its later years, culminating in finals at venues like from 1934 onward, and was contested annually until 1974. Bishop Auckland holds the record with 10 victories, including a streak of five consecutive titles from 1964 to 1969, reflecting the dominance of Northern non-league s during the post-war era. Other multiple winners include Crook Town (5 titles) and Clapham Orient (4), with the tournament fostering talents like Billy Wright, who won with Wolverhampton Wanderers amateurs in 1939 before turning professional. Finals drew significant crowds, peaking at over 100,000 spectators in the , underscoring its cultural role in preserving amateur ideals against encroaching commercialization. The competition concluded after the 1973–74 season, with defeating 2–1 in the final on April 20, 1974, at . Its discontinuation stemmed from the FA's decision to abolish official status that year, recognizing the blurring lines between and semi-professional play; this reform integrated former amateurs into broader structures, eliminating the need for a segregated cup. The was introduced as its successor for lower-tier non-league clubs, shifting focus to open eligibility without restrictions. No other major FA-sanctioned knockout tournaments for specific player statuses have since been defunct, though wartime interruptions affected various cups without permanent cessation.

National Teams

Men's Senior Team: Achievements and Shortcomings

The England men's senior national football team, governed by The Football Association, achieved its sole major tournament victory by winning the on home soil, defeating 4–2 in the final at on 30 July 1966, with scoring a hat-trick. This remains the only global or continental title in the team's history, despite consistent qualification for major competitions since the tournament's inception. Subsequent notable performances include reaching the semi-finals of the , the in 1996, the , and the 2024 , as well as finishing as runners-up in the in 2020 (held in 2021) and 2024. These results highlight periods of competitive depth, particularly under managers like in 1990 and from 2016 to 2024, but no further advancement to finals or titles. Despite access to a large talent pool from the , the team has endured a 59-year without a major as of 2025, marked by repeated early exits in stages, including quarter-final losses in the 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2022 World Cups and multiple European Championships. High-profile failures, such as defeats in the 1990, 1998, and 2006 World Cups and the 1996, 2012, and 2024 European Championships, have underscored vulnerabilities in high-pressure scenarios. Critics attribute shortcomings to tactical conservatism, poor decision-making under pressure, and failures to integrate club-level success into international play, exemplified by the of the 1990s–2000s, featuring players like and , which yielded no titles despite domestic dominance. Systemic issues, including managerial turnover and an emphasis on physicality over technical proficiency in youth development, have been cited as contributing to underperformance relative to resources invested by The FA. Public and media scrutiny intensified after lackluster displays, such as the 2024 campaign, where the team advanced to the final amid widespread criticism of uninspired tactics and low possession efficiency.

Women's Senior Team: Rise and Records

The England women's senior national football team, governed by The Football Association (FA), played its first official international match on 18 November , defeating 3–2 at Ravenscraig Park in , marking the formal inception of competitive women's international football under FA auspices following the lifting of the FA's 50-year ban on women's games in 1971. Early years were characterized by amateur status and limited resources, with the team qualifying for its first major tournament at UEFA Women's Euro 1984, where it reached the quarter-finals before losing to . Progress remained incremental through the and , hampered by part-time professionalism and inconsistent funding, though milestones included winning the Mundialito tournaments in 1985 and 1988, unofficial precursors to modern competitions. The team's ascent accelerated in the 2010s due to FA investments in infrastructure and the establishment of the fully professional (WSL) in 2011, which elevated domestic standards and player development, enabling greater tactical cohesion and physical conditioning at the international level. Under coaches like (1998–2013), the team secured third place at the , its best finish at the time, followed by semi-final appearances at and fourth place at the 2019 World Cup. The appointment of as in September 2021, leveraging her prior success with the , coincided with a 30-match unbeaten streak across 2022, underpinned by enhanced squad depth from WSL integration. The pinnacle of this rise came at , hosted in , where the team defeated 2–1 after extra time in the final on 31 July 2022 at , securing its first major senior title with goals from and , drawing a record 87,192 spectators. This victory, built on defensive solidity conceding just two goals in the tournament, catalyzed nationwide investment exceeding £50 million annually in women's football by 2023. At the , topped its group unbeaten, overcame on penalties in the round of 16, and beat 3–1 in the semi-finals before losing 1–0 to in the final on 20 August 2023 at , earning silver medals and the first World Cup final appearance for any senior team since 1966. The team extended its dominance by retaining the European title at , defeating on penalties in the final on 28 July 2025, with scoring the decisive kick. Key records reflect this trajectory: as of October 2025, England holds 152 wins from 312 matches (win rate 48.7%), with 439 goals scored and 312 conceded, per official fixtures. Tournament highs include 14 goals at the 2019 World Cup and a defensive record of three clean sheets in Euro 2022's knockout stages. Individual benchmarks feature as all-time top scorer with 46 goals (2003–2017), while recent stars like and have driven output, with Hemp scoring three goals at the 2023 World Cup. These achievements correlate with FA-backed expansion, registering over 2.5 million female players by 2023, though challenges persist in balancing WSL internationalization with domestic minutes for England-eligible athletes.

Youth and Development Teams

The Football Association manages England's national men's and women's football teams across age groups from under-16 to under-21, providing structured pathways for player identification, training, and competition to feed into senior squads. These teams compete in European Championships and World Cups at respective youth levels, with aligned to the FA's long-term player development model emphasizing technical, tactical, and physical growth tailored to age-specific needs. England's under-21 men's team, established in 1976 following UEFA's youth competition reforms, has secured three titles, including victories in 1984, 2021, and 2023, with the latter featuring a 3-2 final win over on July 8, 2023, under coach . The under-19 team reached the European final in 2022 but lost to , while the under-17 squad won European titles in 2010 and 2014 and claimed the in , defeating 5-4 on penalties in the semi-final and 3-1 in the final on October 28, 2017. Women's youth teams have similarly progressed, with the under-19s winning the 2022 . These successes reflect improved talent pipelines since the mid-2010s, though historical underperformance prompted FA investments in and . Central to development is St. George's Park National Football Centre, opened in as the FA's headquarters for youth programs, featuring 13 outdoor pitches, indoor facilities, performance labs, and recovery suites to support holistic player preparation. The centre hosts national youth camps, coach education via awards like the Advanced Youth Award, and integrates sport science for and conditioning. The FA collaborates on the (EPPP), launched in 2012 with and EFL input, which categorizes club academies (elite to foundation levels) to boost homegrown talent output, resulting in over 75% of minutes by domestic players in recent seasons and enhanced national team depth. However, challenges persist, including competition for dual-nationality prospects, with approximately 75% of pathway players eligible for multiple nations as of 2025, necessitating proactive retention strategies.

International Relations

Ties with FIFA and UEFA

The Football Association (FA) joined in 1905, becoming one of the early member associations following FIFA's establishment in 1904 by continental European federations seeking to standardize international matches. Disputes over FIFA's proposed "broken time" payments to compensate amateur players—viewed by the British associations as undermining the amateur ethos—prompted the FA, alongside the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish FAs, to withdraw collectively in 1928. This exit isolated from early World Cups and reflected broader resistance to FIFA's growing authority over national governance. The FA rejoined in 1946, amid postwar reconstruction and a renewed emphasis on international unity, enabling 's return to global competitions starting with the 1950 qualifiers. The FA's relationship with UEFA dates to the confederation's inception on 15 June 1954 in , , when authorized the creation of continental bodies to manage regional affairs. As one of 's original 31 member associations, the FA has maintained active involvement, contributing to the development of European tournaments like the European Cup (now , launched 1955) and the (debut 1960). This affiliation allows FA-governed clubs and national teams to qualify for and participate in UEFA events, subject to confederation statutes on eligibility, revenue distribution, and disciplinary measures. Ongoing ties manifest in governance roles, such as FA representatives on and executive committees; for instance, in 2023, FA chair became the first woman elected as a vice-president, serving a four-year term focused on women's football and development. These connections enforce mutual standards on player transfers, anti-doping, and financial fair play, though historical frictions—like the 1928 split—underscore periodic assertions of national autonomy against supranational oversight.

Governance of Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories

The Football Association (FA) exercises governance over association football in the Crown Dependencies of , , and the , where local associations function as affiliates equivalent to English county football associations. These bodies administer domestic leagues, cups, player registrations, and disciplinary matters in alignment with FA rules and standards, without independent international representation under or . For instance, the Guernsey Football Association, established in 1896, registers clubs and enforces FA-sanctioned competitions, while and Isle of Man associations similarly oversee amateur and semi-professional play, including participation in FA-affiliated tournaments like the . Clubs from these dependencies may compete in the English football pyramid, subject to FA approval and logistical provisions such as subsidized travel for away fixtures, though barriers like high costs have limited integration; applied to join the ninth-tier in 2020 but withdrew due to financial and regulatory hurdles. The FA provides , coaching qualifications, and anti-doping enforcement across these areas, ensuring uniformity with English governance structures. This arrangement reflects the dependencies' constitutional status, where the FA's authority extends without requiring separate membership, as affirmed in its regulatory remit for UK-adjacent territories. In contrast, the FA holds no direct governance over British Overseas Territories, whose football associations operate autonomously as full or provisional FIFA members affiliated to regional confederations such as CONCACAF (e.g., Bermuda, Cayman Islands) or UEFA (Gibraltar). Gibraltar's association, founded in 1895, maintained historical affiliation with the FA from 1911 until pursuing independent UEFA recognition in 2013, after which it gained full membership and FIFA status in 2016, severing ties to establish its own national team and league. Other territories, including Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands, similarly manage domestic football independently, with no FA oversight, reflecting their distinct geopolitical separation from the UK mainland and dependencies.

Finances

Revenue Streams and Economic Model

The Football Association (FA) functions as a non-profit , deriving its revenue from commercial exploitation of its core assets: the national teams, domestic competitions such as the and , and ownership of . This model emphasizes centralized control over broadcasting rights, sponsorship partnerships, and venue operations to fund redistribution across professional leagues, development, and national team investments, rather than for shareholders. Revenue volatility stems from irregular international tournaments and fixture scheduling, with surpluses reinvested into the sport—£169.3 million in 2023-24—to support facilities, , and lower-tier clubs. Broadcasting rights constitute the largest revenue stream, encompassing domestic and international deals for men's and women's matches, as well as cup broadcasts. In the 2023-24 year, broadcast income totaled £232.3 million, up £22.7 million from the prior year, bolstered by expanded fixtures including the in July 2023 and men's games under revised scheduling. Key agreements include multi-year contracts with broadcasters like ITV and the for coverage, renewed in February 2024, and international rights managed through and affiliations. Commercial activities, including sponsorships and licensing, generated further growth, with an £11 million year-on-year increase in 2023-24, driven by partnerships such as Nike for national team kits and for the . Licensing extends to merchandise, digital rights, and brand endorsements, capitalizing on team visibility. Wembley Stadium contributes via football events (e.g., finals and internationals) and diversified non-sporting hires like concerts, which provide stable income amid football's seasonality. Ancillary streams encompass over 60 categories, including membership fees from 150,000+ affiliated clubs and players, pitch bookings, stadium tours, gate receipts, and regulatory fines imposed on clubs for breaches. These smaller sources ensure operational resilience but remain subordinate to major commercial levers. Overall turnover for 2023-24 reached £551.2 million, yielding an operating profit of £64.1 million, reflecting prudent management amid rising costs, though dependent on sustained national team performance and global broadcast demand.

Financial Management and Scrutiny

The Football Association maintains financial oversight through its Group Board, which delegates day-to-day management to a Senior Management Team while retaining responsibility for strategic financial decisions, supported by specialized committees including the Remuneration Committee and Governance & Regulation Committee. Annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with , audited externally, and published transparently, ensuring compliance with company law requirements via filings with . In the financial year ending 31 July 2024, the FA reported total turnover of £551.2 million, a 14% increase from £481.8 million the prior year, driven primarily by expanded fixture scheduling and commercial activities, yielding an operating profit of £64.1 million, up from £39.4 million. These results reflect prudent revenue diversification, with investments directed toward national team operations, development, and , though administrative costs, including executive , have faced external review. Scrutiny of the FA's financial management has centered on executive compensation, particularly after chief executive Mark Bullingham received £1.32 million for the 2023–24 year, comprising a base salary of £869,000 and a £450,000 long-term incentive bonus tied to financial and performance targets such as revenue growth and England teams' achievements. The FA defended the package as aligned with exceeding strategic objectives amid revenue expansion and operational successes, positioning Bullingham as the UK's highest-paid sports executive; critics, however, questioned its proportionality given ongoing challenges in grassroots funding and broader football sustainability. No evidence of systemic mismanagement has emerged from audits, but the structure's reliance on self-regulation has prompted calls for enhanced independent oversight, echoed in discussions around the 2025 Football Governance Act, though primarily aimed at clubs rather than the FA itself.

Controversies and Criticisms

Sexual Abuse Scandal (2016–Ongoing)

In November 2016, former Crewe Alexandra player Andy Woodward publicly disclosed that he had been sexually abused as a child by youth coach Barry Bennell in the 1980s, prompting a national reckoning with historical child sexual abuse in English football. This revelation triggered over 350 initial reports to police within weeks, with allegations spanning multiple clubs and coaches dating back to the 1970s. By late December 2016, the number of reported victims had risen to 429, involving non-recent abuse at youth academies and grassroots levels. Police investigations identified 248 clubs as potentially affected, with 184 suspects and 526 victims documented by early 2017, predominantly male children targeted by predatory adults exploiting access to training environments. Bennell, convicted in 1998 for abusing boys at and later in additional trials (including a 2018 sentencing to 30 years for 50 offenses against 12 victims), exemplified systemic vulnerabilities, as clubs like maintained he was unaware of prior suspicions until his 1994 arrest. The Football Association (FA) faced immediate scrutiny for inadequate oversight, having lacked mandatory policies until the early 2000s despite early warnings, such as Bennell's initial offenses. In response, the FA commissioned an independent review led by Clive Sheldon QC, covering 1970–2005, which concluded in March 2021 that the exhibited "institutional failings" by failing to implement sufficient safeguards, centralize on abusers, or prioritize welfare amid a cultural view that such abuse was improbable in . The 710-page Sheldon report, drawing on survivor testimonies, highlighted the FA's slow adoption of vetting procedures and absence of proactive monitoring, enabling abusers to move between clubs unchecked. The review rejected claims of deliberate cover-ups by the FA but emphasized negligence in not acting on available intelligence, such as post-1998 conviction data, which could have prevented further incidents. Survivors criticized the FA's pre-scandal response as dismissive, with groups noting that basic protections—like barring known risks—were "blindingly obvious" yet ignored until public pressure forced change. The FA issued an apology, acknowledging it "did not do enough to keep children safe," and committed to enhanced safeguarding, including a dedicated redress scheme for verified claims offering financial compensation and support services. As of 2021, ongoing civil claims and police probes persisted, with the scandal underscoring broader failures in governance where access to talent pipelines facilitated exploitation without robust accountability. No major new FA-specific prosecutions emerged by 2025, but the episode catalyzed mandatory checks, welfare officer requirements, and annual audits across affiliated bodies to mitigate recurrence.

Handling of Racism, Abuse, and Cultural Issues

The Football Association (FA) maintains rules defining discriminatory behaviour as conduct or language aggravated by factors including ethnic origin, colour, race, , , , gender reassignment, , , or , with sanctions such as minimum six-match suspensions, mandatory education, and fines. Reporting mechanisms allow incidents to be submitted to county FAs or match officials, with professional game protocols emphasizing immediate notification during matches. In 2023, the FA announced plans to deduct points from grassroots clubs for incidents of or , a measure welcomed by campaigners and set to extend sanctions up the football pyramid, including three to six points for . Despite these frameworks, the FA has faced persistent criticism for inadequate handling of racist incidents, particularly at levels where reporting processes are described as cumbersome and support for victims insufficient. Kick It Out, the FA-supported anti-discrimination organization, recorded 1,398 discrimination reports in the 2024/25 season, the highest on record and up from 1,332 the prior year, suggesting either heightened awareness or ongoing prevalence. A 2021 survey found only 27% of ethnic minority fans impressed by clubs' efforts, while an poll indicated 44% of adults, rising to 53% among ethnic minorities, believed efforts had not gone far enough. High-profile cases, such as online racist abuse targeting England players , , and after the , prompted FA condemnations but highlighted enforcement challenges, including debates over proof standards in disciplinary proceedings. On cultural issues, the FA initiated a full cultural review in October 2017 following mishandled racism complaints against England women's team staff, including allegations by Eni Aluko, aiming to enhance inclusivity and organizational practices. This built toward broader strategies, including a 2022 safeguarding plan to prevent abuse in all forms and a four-year equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy titled "A Game Free From ," focusing on systemic cultural shifts. Joint statements with leagues and clubs in October 2023 reaffirmed commitments to eradicate , though fan responses to gestures like the pre-match knee—booed by some crowds in 2021—have underscored tensions between campaigns and perceptions of politicization. Critics, including former players, have argued that governing bodies like the FA prioritize symbolic actions over robust deterrence, such as consistent points deductions for fan misconduct.

Governance Failures and Bureaucratic Inefficiencies

The Football Association's governance has been widely criticized for its archaic and convoluted structures, which impede effective decision-making and strategic leadership. The FA's council, comprising 123 members with limited diversity—nearly all male and only one fan representative—has been described as unwieldy and unrepresentative, fostering resistance to modernization despite repeated calls for reform since at least 2011. This structure, including over 24 committees, delegates excessive authority to Premier League and Football League-dominated bodies, diluting the FA's regulatory power and contributing to a lack of accountability. Former executives have testified that these "arcane and convoluted" processes create unclear roles and hinder proactive governance, rendering the FA largely ineffective as the national governing body. A key governance failure stems from the FA's 1992 approval of the Premier League's formation, which shifted financial and decision-making power to elite clubs, leaving the FA reliant on negotiated revenue shares and unable to enforce pyramid-wide sustainability. This power imbalance exacerbated self-regulatory shortcomings, with the FA failing to prevent widespread financial losses—85% of top-four-division clubs were loss-making, aggregating £1.2 billion in 2022/23—and high-profile collapses like Bury and Town in 2019. Critics, including former FA chairs and David Bernstein, attribute England's persistent international underperformance partly to these internal failings, prompting a 2023 parliamentary no-confidence motion against the FA. Bureaucratic inefficiencies compound these issues, particularly in grassroots administration, where excessive has stifled participation and development. Despite receiving £56 million in public from between 2010 and 2016, the FA failed to reverse declining youth engagement, resulting in a £1.6 million in 2014 for unmet targets. The organization's "Victorian" decision-making model, characterized by protracted committee deliberations and outdated processes, has delayed reforms and innovation, such as the 2019 launch of a smartphone app to reduce paperwork for amateur clubs. These inefficiencies, rooted in a culture of delegated self-regulation favoring elite interests, culminated in the 2025 Football Governance Act, which establishes an independent regulator to address the FA's systemic oversight gaps.

Recent Developments

2024–2028 Strategy and Grassroots Initiatives

In October 2024, The Football Association published its overarching strategy for 2024–2028, emphasizing the role of football in fostering community unity, addressing inequalities, enhancing health outcomes, and driving sustainable growth across the sport. This framework builds on prior achievements, such as expanded participation and improvements, while targeting key challenges like facility shortages and behavioral issues in play. The strategy integrates specific sub-plans, including those for women's and girls' football ("Reaching Higher," released , 2024), inclusion ("Football Without ," November 5, 2024), equality, diversity, and inclusion ("A Game Free From ," November 26, 2024), and (November 25, 2024), to ensure aligned efforts in grassroots development. The grassroots component, "A Thriving Grassroots Game," launched on October 28, 2024, prioritizes expanding participation and infrastructure to support 220,000 additional players and 15,000 new teams by 2028, representing approximately 12% overall team growth. Key initiatives include investing in over 300 new artificial pitches and advancing toward a target of 12,000 improved grass pitches to address facility quality and availability, which FA CEO Mark Bullingham identified as critical for transforming the playing landscape. The strategy operates through three pillars: supporting sustainable community clubs via and resources; enhancing participant services with digital tools for registration, scheduling, and personalized opportunities; and elevating standards to reduce and poor , including targeted for coaches, referees, and volunteers. These efforts extend to specialized programs, such as expanding women's and girls' access through dedicated pathways and coaching, aiming for parity in playing opportunities; football initiatives to remove barriers via inclusive formats and events; and EDI measures to foster environments free from , with commitments to monitor and report progress annually. Safeguarding enhancements prioritize governance, education, and rapid response to concerns, integrating with broader behavioral targets to improve retention rates among young players. Overall, the strategy allocates resources from FA revenues to these areas, with success measured by participation metrics, facility audits, and social impact reports, though independent verification of targets remains pending implementation.

2025 Football Governance Act and Independent Regulator

The Football Governance Act 2025, receiving royal assent on 21 July 2025, introduced statutory regulation for the top five tiers of English men's football to enhance financial sustainability, protect club heritage, and strengthen fan engagement following events such as club insolvencies and the 2021 European Super League proposal. The legislation mandates club licensing by an independent body, replacing voluntary oversight previously managed by the Football Association (FA) and leagues, with requirements for clubs to demonstrate robust financial planning and governance to avoid collapses like those of Bury and Macclesfield Town in 2019. Central to the Act is the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), a established to operate autonomously from the FA, , and (EFL), with core objectives including systemic financial resilience across the pyramid, preservation of clubs' cultural heritage (such as restrictions on altering names, crests, or home kit colors without approval), and enforcement of meaningful fan consultation in decisions. The IFR holds enforcement powers, including investigations, fines up to 10% of a club's turnover, and potential revocation of licenses, applying initially to clubs from the 2025-26 season on a phased basis, with all clubs required to comply with enhanced owners' and directors' tests by 2027. Leadership appointments include David Kogan as chair on 6 October 2025 and Richard Monks as CEO shortly thereafter, signaling operational commencement amid expectations of resolving revenue-sharing disputes between leagues. For the FA, the Act diminishes its direct regulatory authority over elite club finances and ownership, transferring these to the IFR while requiring coordination between the regulator's rules and existing FA frameworks to avoid conflicts, as noted in analyses of potential overlaps with FA disciplinary processes. The FA had engaged in prior consultations, advocating for stability in its response to the 2021 Fan-Led Review, but the IFR's independence addresses criticisms of self-regulation failures under FA stewardship, such as inadequate safeguards against unsustainable spending. No public opposition from the FA to the final Act was recorded, though it marks a shift toward external oversight to prevent future taxpayer-funded rescues, with the IFR empowered to intervene in FA-related disputes on resource distribution.

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